Incrustation preventive.



UNITED STATES PATENT FEIcE.

EDWARD HOLM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS;

INCRUSTATION PREVENTIVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651 ,249, dated June 5, 1900.

Application filed September 13, 1899. Serial No. 780,324. (No Specimens.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD HOLM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago,

in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Steam-Boiler Compound; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention or discovery relates to a compound or composition for the prevention of and the removal of scales from steam-boilers and other water-heating and steam-generating devices which are subject to incrustation from the foreign matter held in solution in the Water used.

Ordinarily there is a great difference in waters in their action on boiler-surfaces in depositing scale on account of a greater or less density and the proportionate amount of foreign ingredients held in solution. It is well known that scale will form in all boilers and analogous water -heating devices and their connecting-pipes to a greater or less degree, in accordance with the proportions of foreign matter contained in the water. Much of the matter held in solution is not vaporizable and is therefore deposited on the surfaces of the boiler and fines in the form of scale,where it is hardened by the heat. This scale adheres with such tenacity that the application of a hammer and cold-chisel is often necessary to effect a removal of the same. When not interfered with, the thickness of the scaly deposit gradually increases until a greater amount of fuel is required in the generation of steam and dangerous results are likely to occur at any time.

The object, therefore, of this invention is to provide a compound or composition that will have the same beneficial action and softening effect in different waters by precipitating the foreign matter contained therein, which may then be blown or washed out of the boiler in the usual manner.

The composition consists of tin, antimony, mercury, and nitrate of silver in the proportion to one pound of the compound as follows: tin, eleven ounces; antimony, four ounces; mercury, one ounce; nitrate of silver, two grains. These ingredients are compounded in a molten condition and then molded or cast into bars of suitable commercial dimensions-say fifteen inches in length, two inches in width, and three-fourths of an inch in thickness. vals of, say, about three inches for convenience in breaking the same into usable parts.

In practical working a piece of the compoundsay three inches in lengthis suspended in the boiler, preferably over the crown-sheet, and submerged. The compound is then'gradually absorbed or dissolved by the action of the hot water, which becomes thoroughly impregnated and precipitates all foreign matter held in solution that is not capable of being converted into steam.

The actual quantity of the compound placed in a boiler will be governed by the horsepower. A piece three inches in length and of the other dimensions given will ordinarily do in boilers from ten up to thirty or forty horse-power and will be increased proportionately for larger boilers. The composition of the Water may also be taken into consideration in ascertaining the amount to be used, as a little experimenting will readily determine.

In removing scale already formed it will be necessary to use a larger quantity until the scale is loosened and washed out.

The proportion of the ingredients entering into the compound may be varied inaccordance with the requirements of different waters.

The water is thoroughly purified by the action of the compound and foaming prevented, so that no foreign substance is carried over with the steam to injure the piston and valve surfaces or the rods and packing.

Having thus described my invention or discovery, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

EDWVARD' HOLM.

\Vitnesses:

L. M. FREEMAN, L. B. OoUPLAND.

The bars may be scored at inter 

